Financial Experience That Matters
I have owned and operated several businesses throughout my career, and I’ve learned that life doesn’t always go as planned. When challenges arise, you adapt, pivot, and keep moving forward.
Those experiences have shaped who I am today. I began by owning a small retail balloon shop in the 1980s, which grew into a successful wholesale balloon business. I recognized an opportunity to partner with Publix, and my company ultimately supplied balloons to every Publix store for more than five years. That experience taught me the importance of entrepreneurship, innovation, and building strong business relationships.
Life has taken me in many different directions, each one providing valuable lessons. One of my most meaningful chapters was serving as a grief counselor and working at a funeral home for five years. Helping families through some of life’s most difficult moments remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
Later, seeking a quieter pace of life, I moved to Ocala and operated a hydroponic farm while raising alpacas and chickens. That season of life reinforced the value of hard work, sustainability, and perseverance before eventually leading me to the community I now proudly call home—Cocoa Beach.
These diverse experiences have given me the ability to evaluate budgets, identify inefficiencies, ask difficult but necessary questions, and make decisions based on facts and data.
I believe fiscal accountability isn’t about cutting budgets simply for the sake of cutting costs. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that put our residents and local businesses first, using taxpayer dollars responsibly, ensuring resources are directed where they’re needed most, and restoring public trust through transparency and accountability.
Every dollar the City spends should reflect the priorities of our community and support the long-term success, safety, and quality of life that make Cocoa Beach such a special place.